Usefulness of serum HBV RNA levels for predicting antiviral response to entecavir treatment in patients with chronic hepatitis B.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) RNA is an important serum biomarker of hepatic covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) transcriptional activity; however, its clinical characteristics remain unclear. This study evaluated the clinical utility of HBV RNA levels in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB).

Methods

We studied 87 CHB patients with serum HBV DNA levels ≥ 5.0 log IU/mL who initiated entecavir (ETV) treatment between 2000 and 2018. Serum HBV RNA levels were measured at three-time points: before ETV treatment, at 12 weeks, and at 48 weeks after starting ETV treatment. Clinical markers associated with the antiviral effects of ETV treatment were analyzed.

Results

Serum HBV RNA levels decreased in both HBeAg-positive and -negative patients during the observation

SUBMITTER: Kosaka M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11922970 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature